2019-2020 GCISD READS Challenge
the adventure continues
Are you ready to dive into our next GCISD READS challenge?

What is the GCISD READS Challenge?
- Kindergarten - 2nd grade students are challenged to read 1,500 pages
- 3rd - 5th grade students are challenged to read 2,500 pages
- 6th - 12th grade students are challenged to read 5,000 pages
Research shows that kids who do not read during the summer months are more likely to fall victim to the "summer slide — the learning loss that takes place during the long break from school. For more information, book lists, and fun ideas to combat learning loss visit How to Beat Summer Slide.
Where can we find book recommendations?
There are many book lists available online, and here are a few to get you started:
1. Scholastic's Book Wizard is a tool to help your child find great books!
2. Reading Rocket has amazing theme-based book lists.
3. Common Sense Media offers book and movie suggestions.
4. A Book and a Hug helps readers find books based on their unique personality.
5. What's Next? helps readers see the next book in a series.
6. Award winners-
- Caldecott (for picture books)
- Newbery (primarily-but not always chapter books)
- Texas Bluebonnet Award books are great places to start for grades 3-6.
- The Texas LoneStar List is geared for older students (6-8)
- The TAYSHAS reading list is for students in grades 9-12
- The Association of Library Service to Children (American Library Association) provides lists of notable children's books.
Did someone say FREE books?
OverDrive App (Sora)
All GCISD students have access to free e-books, audiobooks, and Read-a-Longs with the OverDrive app! Click here for more Information about this resource.
Public Libraries-
Colleyville http://www.colleyvillelibrary.com/, Euless http://www.eulesstx.gov/library/, and
Grapevine http://www.grapevinetexas.gov/ public libraries all have a great line up of summer activities and excellent collections of books for the whole family in all formats (print, audiobooks, e-books, etc.).
The North Richland Hills Public Library http://www.library.nrhtx.com/ offers FREE library cards to non-residents, and even has 3D printers available in their Maker Spot http://www.themakerspot.org/
Capstone has provided FREE access to their Capstone Interactive collection this summer. We would love to receive feedback about this resource.
Username: capstonesummer
Password: interactive 19
Your local public library also offers the OverDrive app where you can access additional titles for the whole family!
Have a splashing good time with these fun summer reading programs!
Tracking your progress
The 2019-2020 GCISD READS Challenge begins on June 1, 2019. The printable tracking forms are included later in this newsletter.
If you prefer a digital option, tools like Biblionasium make it fun and easy to keep track of your reading. Biblionasium (https://www.biblionasium.com/ ) is a free web resource that allows students to keep a digital log of what they’ve read and gives them the opportunity to read and write reviews about books. Keep in mind that Biblionasium is a reading log - NOT an e-book reader.